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It’s all feeling a little Nordic

Something had been reignited again. It started with a holiday and then snowballed from there.

I’ve been reading.

Congratulations, I hear you mutter. But really it is a big thing. Books were getting piled up in ambitious piles and not moving. The newspaper was taunting me.

Then it all changed. Three books in three weeks and the ball was rolling, really quite fast. They were fat books too. The most I had been reading before that, was the back of the peanut butter jar… Even that was skim reading.

Now with that being said, I have been immersed in all things Scandinavian and my taste buds are calling for food that would be fitting. Rye bread was obviously a must, along with anything else I could make happen.

I had also kept in the back of my mind this beautiful lady’s crisp bread recipe from the beginning of the year. It was time to give that one a go, and I’m so glad I did. They make the perfect base for an open sandwich, and I think they will definitely become a staple around here.

Knekkebrod

200g spelt flour

200g whole oats

100g pepita

100g sunflower seeds

100g LSA (linseed, sunflower and almond meal)

25g sesame

350mls water

These are the ingredients I used as it was what I had on hand. I can see how they would be incredibly versatile though, and using any ingredients that you really like. I loved them, and am definitely going to make them regularly now. See here for Turid’s original recipe though.

The Split Pea Soup I suspect is not just restricted to Swedish eating, however Jamie Oliver has a recipe for it in his Swedish section in this great book, and while I adapted it to what I had on hand and my taste buds, the one thing that I think is genius was to put mustard on top. Now, I love my mustard but I would never have thought to add it to a Split Pea Soup, so thanks Jamie.

You could try the box set of ‘The Killing’ the Danish original, not the American remake. That would take you through to Christmas… I think that might be the soup that goes with the pancakes on Thursdays…. Your knackebrod looks very snappy 🙂

Thanks for the reminder that some escapism is a good thing. I might try working my way through the pile next to the bed. And I loved the Millenium series too. Have you tried Janet Evanovich? Totally different, female bounty hounter, American/polish/italian, very funny, little bit of sexual tension and a really easy but good read. Start at number one.

Lovely recipes 🙂 And I’m thrilled for you that you finished the books! I remember the satisfaction of getting to the end of the third…although then there was also the thwump of coming down to earth and realising that they were over. At least there’s always a new book waiting in the wings.

Are you going to see the movies? I’ve only seen the first (I’m much slower at getting to movies than to books…) and I liked it, but of course films never live up to the magic of books.

These are definitely going to get made in this house – particularly after my recent conversation with you about that magic combination of rye bread or crackers, spread with cream cheese, carpeted with green chives on top of which go slices of cured salmon and softly boiled eggs, before adding a little nest salmon roe. I know you don’t like me bringing it up (at the risk of you bringing it back up) given your thing about soft eggs and salmon….but it’s soooooo good.

I can’t seem to put down David Mitchell’s The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet. And I recently went back to some of Dahl’s decidely grown short stories – they are a wonder.

For genuine Scandinavian pea soup, search out split yellow peas (in Danish called gule ærter), and make your soup from those rather than split green peas. There’s a huge difference in taste, and you’ll find that your added mustard takes on a new dimension.

Good books, rye bread and crisp breads, and pea soup w/mustard sound perfect for a winter’s evening. For right now- I’m going to stick with a savory cantaloupe soup with capers and dark cherry salsa and blt sandwiches. 🙂
But I’m revisiting here as soon as the temps drop!
Although I’m going to keep reading no matter what the weather is outside!

a have a mountain of books, magazines and catalogues growing by my bed by the day. spare time seems to be occupied by house building stuff and the entourage series these days. hope i get bitten by your reading bug soon!

I never managed the 2nd & 3rd Millenium books – the violence was a little too much for me – but there are quite a few great Scandinavian writers around at the moment. You might not get any chores done for quite a while!

Your knekkebrød looks so tasty! I can highly recommend the Norwegian writer Jo Nesbo whenever you need something new to read. Not only crime, but also children’s books; Doctor Proctor’s Fart Powder etc… Very amusing for both adults and children!

Thank you Turid for the recipe! I would never have thought to make them if you hadn’t posted them. To give it an Australian twist they are delicious with butter and vegemite. Although I’m also loving them doused in mustard, salad, canned beetroot, and cheese. Piled high!
And I’ll keep my eye out for Jo Nesbo, looks like he would appeal to both me and The Monkeys.

The Millenium series is definitely a great read (although, honestly, I did get a little lost in all the Swedish politics at times.) Salander was a brilliant character – so unusual and compelling. Glad you matched your food to the books. An excellent time of year to get Nordic x

This looks lovely! I’ve never thought of split pea soup as swedish either but who cares where it is from as long as it keeps out the cold – we have been having bread and split pea soup this week too but very different versions.

Good to hear you are getting into reading – the millennium series is compulsive reading – though quite intense too – I need something to grab me right – now – nothing like the pleasure of snuggling up with a good book